Friday, August 13, 2010

REAL PARTIES: A Vintage Alice In Wonderland Birthday

I'm so excited to have found another Alice in Wonderland themed party! This one was planned by Kasey Buick and was featured on Amy Atlas's blog.

The attention to detail is incredible, and a few of the personal touches that set this party apart are; the layered vintage lace linens, the gorgeous chandelier and props, the "eat me" printed bags, the paper flower garland, birdcage backdrop, and wonderland bunting letters which all work together to create the perfect whimsical, vintage vibe.

I love the homespun, DIY feel to this party! Great job Kasey!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

REAL PARTIES: A Sweet Pink Lemonade 1st Birthday

How can this sweet Pink Lemonade 1st Birthday Party not make you smile?! =)

Found on Eat Drink Pretty's blog, I headed over to blog of the mom (and planner) of
this adorable party, and believe me when I saw there are so many more fun DIY details
and photos on Pam's blog than I could possibly post here. One of the things I love most
about parties like these, is that every single detail was DIY by Pam and the whole party
was done on a budget. I love to show my readers that you CAN have darling theme parties
with just a little inspiration and DIY creativity!

Way to go Pam!!

Pam custom designed the invitations and even took the photo herself ~ she estimates
the cost to be about .40 cents per invitation!

Pam took a cake decorating class the month before the party and homemade this darling
cake, including making the lemon toppers out of fondant! Wow!

This sweet scalloped garland was made from 4 sheets of scrapbook paper from a local
craft store ~ about .35 cents each.

And here is my favorite DIY detail...Pam used a crate from Michaels ($5.99 after
sheused a 40% of coupon) and some wood from Home Depot (about $4.00). The pink
paint isfrom Sherwin Williams in a "sample" size for $4.80 and cups from the dollar
store (4 cupsfor $1.00)!

You will just have to go over and check out all the pink and yellow yumminess and the
secret to Pam's success directly on her blog!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

DIY Candy Necklace Craft Favor w/ FREE Printable Labels

I found this adorable DIY Candy Necklace Craft Favor with a downloadable printable
label on Paper and Cake's blog. They were so creative in coming up with a fresh alternative to the idea of candy buffets at parties.

They shared their tutorial on how to create your own modern favor boxes, filled with candy and string, for party guests to make their own couture candy necklaces. This would be perfect as a craft at a child party or baby shower done in a sweets~theme!


Supplies:
*favor boxes (4" clear cube boxes were used in this case)
*a skewer
*embroidery floss (to match your candy colors)
*cereal with holes (like fruit loops; a large box will fill 10 favor boxes)
*candies (take a favor box with you to the candy store so you can get a sense of
how much you need to fill each box)


1. Play with your color palette ! you could do each box in a single color group or include the whole rainbow!



2. Trim Licorice Belts into small squares. Using a skewer, poke a hole through licorice belts and other chew candies.



3. Layer the cereal, then candies in each box.


4. Place a length of embroidery floss ~ tied at one end with a Fruit Loop and knotted at the other - on top of candies inside the box.

5. You can make your own labels with pretty scrapbook papers and card stock or you can download Paper and Cake's Couture Candy Labels for free! Affix labels to box front.

6. Tie some rock candy to the box with some cording or ribbon.



7. Then let your guests have a blast making their own candy necklaces!

Be sure to check out Paper and Cake's blog to see all of their fabulous printable partyware!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Alice in Wonderland Engagement Shoot

When one of my favorite daily reads {Green Wedding Shoes} features a party or
styled photo shoot based on one of my favorite themes {Alice in Wonderland} ~ you know
I'm going to get excited!

...and I know I always say this, but this might be my favorite Alice in Wonderland styled
photo shoot to date. =) I love the fact that each of the Alice in Wonderland shoots that I
have featured have been based on the creative talent of the designer and photographer
{who in this case happen to be one in the same} , along with their personal vision and adaptation of the beloved story.

This engagement shoot that was featured on Green Wedding Shoes was inspired by the
bride's grandmother's tea cup collection, her old Alice storybook, and their wedding theme of "love and happiness". Photographer Joy of Wildflowers Photography, styled the shoot in
her own backyard! She combined the sentimental elements (a favorite quilt, grandmother's
tea cup collection and Alice storybook) along with a vintage gown, some hand~painted cardboard clouds, some mismatched velvet chairs, paper flowers, custom cupcakes and a
pair of hot pink socks! *Swoon*.

Be sure to check out more fantastic photos and all the details directly on Joy's blog!


DIY Alice in Wonderland Inspired Printables

More fun DIY Alice in Wonderland printables found via Nonpareil Magazine
and created by Shauna Younge. Enjoy, and head over to their blogs to say thank you!


Download DRINK ME tags here

Download EAT ME tags here

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

"Pride & Prejudice" Inspired Wedding Shoot

This gorgeous wedding shoot based on the Jane Austin novel "Pride & Prejudice" and
featured on The Sweetest Occasion, was designed and styled by Anne Sage of The City Sage,
and photographed by Lisa Lefkowitz. It was also featured on one of my other favorite reads, Style Me Pretty.

The location of this shoot was at the Villa Montalvo in Northern California, and will
definitely go down in my book as one of the most romantic photo shoots of the year.
I just love the romantic color palette of soft celadon green, peach, pink and ivory, paired
with lighthearted patterns ~ stripes, polka dots and butterfly chinoiserie. Combined that with the formal table settings, empire~inspired gown and accessories, and you have perfection!

I am a huge fan of bringing a beloved children's story, a favorite character or a romantic novel to life and I definitely give props to Anne Sage for a job well done!

As always, please see the original post on The Sweetest Occassion or Style Me Pretty for more images, as well as credit and links to all the talented designers who participated in this shoot.